Sourcing Seeds Internationally – Considerations and Resources

Many specialty crop growers rely on importing propagation materials because of a lack of local propagators or seed suppliers. In addition, many cultivars of traditional crops may only be available outside of Canada. Importing seeds and plants for propagation carries a lot of risks. The plant material could carry insects and diseases that are not currently present in Ontario. Importing diseased material could put the entire Ontario industry permanently at risk. These diseases could then spread to other crops as well. In addition, new plant species could be invasive in Ontario and destroy native habitats once released here.